BillP.: Hey Jeff, 2 questions for you. 1)If the Vikings decide to release John David Bootie, will the Rams have a shot to pick him up, or do you just think it's not worth it? 2)Some NFL analysts are saying Jason Smith is more of a dancer than a mauler, and that the Rams don't have that run blocker that they desperately need. Your take on that? Thanks and Have a good week!

Jeff Gordon: If Smith is a dancer, then the Rams are in trouble. They drafted him believing he would become a powerful run blocker in his first year and evolve as a pass blocker.

As for Booty, the Rams are happy with their QBs right now. Both Null and Berlin looked good in the No. 3 fight Friday night. Boller offers mobility as the back-up, He is a little scattershot, but I doubt the Rams would change their back-up so close to the season. Bulger's injury gives him a chance to build some rapport, as he did with Robinson last week.

TheMadHungarian: Is infighting really running rampant within the clubhouse as the blogs suggest? Some commentators would have you believe that Albert discriminates against non-Latino players, and in particular disrespects Ryan.

Jeff Gordon: Watching Albert interact with Holliday, DeRosa and Smoltz suggests otherwise. Albert is really intense, as well all know, and Ryan is spaced out, so there will be periodic issues there. When Albert runs to a base and Ryan is standing there, that is not good for Brendan.

That's Albert being Albert. Ask Venable about his intensity.

The veterans the Cards added expanded the team's leadership base and lightened the mood overall. When La Russa is your manager and Albert is the star, a team needs a DeRosa and a Smoltz to balance things up a bit.

Tackleberry: Gordo,

The Cards have the momentum working now, which is why I am still amazed to see so many base running gaffes. Be honest, how hard would this media CRUSH Albert if he was a guy like Beltran, i.e. an All-Star but not the best player in the game? I'm not blaming Pujols for the mix-up at 2nd with Ryan, but he just makes some very strange decisons on the basepaths.

Jeff Gordon: His baserunning has been better this year, perhaps because he doesn't feel the need to force so much. He still gets carried away once in a while, but his aggression, on balance, is more good than bad.

Tackleberry: Gordo,

If you would, please finish this sentence:

If the play-offs started today, the Cards would use Motte to........

Jeff Gordon: Pitch here and there, preferably when the game is not on the line. Clearly this team is looking for set-up success beyong McClellan and Miller, the two most reliable relievers behind Franklin right now. Reyes and Motte need to be better -- and it would still be nice to add another experienced righty to take work from Motte and Hawksworth.

bohinky: Hey Gordo,

What is wrong with El Hombre. Does he need a rest. Or is he just human.

Jeff Gordon: He is not always going to hit at the pace Holliday hit after arriving here. That comes in streaks. But as I noted, everybody needs a break. Holliday could use one, too.